Starting mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



N( 876,460. PATENTED JAN. 14, I908.

H...A. JOHNSTON.

STARTINCYMECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

' APPLIOATIONFILED FEB.11, n07.

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a stop cock K. Each tank is provided with and my invention relates particu arly to the with branches N- to communicate with the in the engine while UNITED STATES PATENT orrion HOWARD JOHNSTON OF'TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

STARTING MECHANISM roe INTERNAL-COMBUSTIONENGiNES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 11- 1907. Serial No. 356.739-

-No.-s76,4e0. Patented Jan. 14,1908.

is very dangerous to the engine. have To all whom it may eoncern: I I

also found that it is absolutely necessary to Be it known that. I, HOWARD A. JOHN- STON, of the city of Toronto, in the Rrovince of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Starting Mechanism for Internal-Combustion Motors, of which the -following is a specification.

My object is to provide simple, effective and safe means for starting an internal combustion motor by means of com ressed air,

maintain a hi h pressure in my storage tanks owing to the fact thatwhile the engine is at rest leakage is liable to occur, and if the prestank at a point sufliciently high for starting,

means whereby the compressed air is regularly and automatically admitted to the engine for starting, and. to means whereby air may be stored at a high pressure and used at a lower pressure to start the engine,- substantially as hereinafter more specificallydescribed, and then definitely claimed.

Figure 1 is a view showing apart of an internal combustion'motor. an the, starting mechanism therefor. Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations, partly in section, showing the arrangement of startingcams and valves in different positions. In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, A is the main-storage tank. With this tank communicates a pipe B throu h whichit may be supplied with air, usua ly from a pump driven by the engine itself. C- is the outlet pipe through which air ma be taken to supply air pressure for fuel spraying devices. With this pipe is connected a pipe D leading to the second tank E. In this pipe is located the stop cock F. From thesecond tank E leads the pipe G provided closed, making the storage tanks independent of one another. When it is desired to start the engine the stop cock J is opened: If there is an excess of pressure in the second storage tank it will vent itself through the safety valve, which the desired maximum pressure. pressure is reached the safety valve ceases to blow off, andthestop cock K maybe opened read for starting the engine It pipe G communicates with the casing of each .va

3). Above this opemng is a valve seat comvalve. This valve seat is closed from above by the valve disk P, provided with a stem a secured to thesmall piston in the lower part of the casing below the individual cylinders H of the multi-cylinder engine. In this pipe is located a safety valve I of any-suitable type, or other pressure limiting valve. Between the safety valve and the tank is a stop cock J, and between the safety valve and the cylinder connections is R. Above the rock a pressure gage L. have found that for spraying purposes it is necessary to maintain a comparatively high pressure in the main storage tank, say 550 pounds-to the square inch. Now this pressure is too hi h for'starting purposes, owing to the fact t at if an explosion occurs the'latter is subject to the high pressure of the storage air tank an extremely high pressure is generated, which and between this nut and the valve casing is located the coil' spring a, tending normally to the rock arm a second is located a short coil springe. The other end of the rock arm is journaled on an eccensure were only maintained in the storageafter a long, period of rest an insuificient'pres- ,gine-is stopped the stop, cock F is preferably will be note that although the pressure in Q fitting closely and passes through maintain the valve disk P on its seat. Below nut dis screwed on the spindle; and between this and the rock arm an beset to blow 0s. a 7

When this ve through the opening O.(see=Figs. 2 and I municating with'th e branch N above the opening 0. This iston is of approximately 1 7 arm a nut 12 1s screwed-on the valve stem,

trio S, which is connected to the rock shaft T, v I

. rock arm is. located into engagement with the starting cams g.

- cylinderv at the are returned to their 7 sure limiting valve in said pip suitably j ournaled onthe frame of the engine.

.eccentrics in .their raised by pos1tive engagement of the-rock The ends of the rock arms R which combination of a storage air. tank; a second combination of a described. v

. I 3.. ,In .an" internal "combination of a storage air tank; a second ta apipe connecting the two; a stop cock .qinsai 1 ipe; a pipe connecting the second tank wit the cylinder of the engine; a pres- .causing the rock arms R to ta ethepositi'on' sure limiting valve in said pipe; a stop cock shown in Fig. 3. These rock arms',"it will be between the pressure limiting valve and the seen, are located above the cam shaft V, second tank; and a stop cock between the which is the main cam shaft of the engine, pressure limiting valve and engine, substanand 'Will of course be operated in theordinary tially as desgribed. manner by the engine itself. Below each one of the starting cams U- is thrown down, as

are brought This rock shaft is provided-with an armU; bymeans of which it :may ,be rocked. Sp I fingers f. are'conhectedftdithe engine, which the arm U maybefrictionally engaged as shown in Figs. -1 and 3, tomaintdin the raised osi-tion, thus combination of a storage air tank; a second tank; a pipe connectin necting the second tank with the cylinder of theeng'ine; a pressure limiting valve in said pipe a stop cock between the For 'the purpose of reducing friction each arm is preferably provided with a fricmg valve and the second tank; and a supply p'pe for the first tank, substanroller h. The starting cams g are of and an outlet 9. When the arm shown in Fig. 2-, therockarms R rock tion course suitably timed to'admit air into each proper time. It will be noted that the valve disks tiallyIas described.

5. combination of'a storageair tank a second tank; a pipe connecting, the two; a stop cock in said pipe; a pipe connecting the tank with the cylinder of the engine; a pressure limiting valve in said pipe; av stop cock between the safety valve and the second tank; and a supply and an outlet ipe for the first tank, substantially as descrihed.

*6. In an internal combustion motor the combination of a storage air tank; a pipe P are with the nuts b and that the valves seats by the pressure of thecoil springs c after the operative parts' of the cam have passed the friction rollers it. being held in engagement with the nuts I; by means of the 'coil spring 0 a yielding connection is provided enables the-rock arms to tilt relative to the valve stems, as shown in Fig. 3. 1

The device I have above described will be found to be very simple, safe and effective ino eration. r hat I claim as my invention is t 1 In an'internal combustion motor the 7 arms R tank; a pipe connecting the two; a stop cock in said pipe; a pipe connecting the second linutmg valve in said pipe; a second valve in tank with the cylinder of the-engine; a pressaid pipe a stem projecting from said second e; and'a stop I valve; a cam shaft; a cam on said shaft; and

cook between the pressure limiting valve and for forming or breaking an operative the second tank, substantially as described. connection between the valve stem and cam, f 2. In an internal combustion motor the substantially as described.

storage air tank ;-a second 1 Toronto, Ont. 7th January, 1907.

ta a pipe connecting the two; a pipe con- HOWARD A. JOHNSTON. necting the second tan with the cylinder of Signed in the presence of the engine; a pressure limiting valve in said -J. EDW; MAYBEE,

pipe; and a stop cock between the pressure F. MoKENDRIcK.

valveand engine, substantially as.

pressure limit- I 11 an internalcombustionrmotor thesecond connecting said tank with the engine cylincombustion motor the In an internal combustion motor the the two; a pipe con- 

